Darbal: Non-traditional resources are the pillar of the water resources sector strategy – Algerian Dialogue

The Minister of Irrigation, Taha Darbal, confirmed today, Thursday, in the National People’s Assembly, that the sector’s strategy in the field of providing the population with potable water in light of the decrease in rainwater is based on the exploitation of non-traditional resources, especially desalinated sea water, in addition to the interconnection between dams and major water transfers.

Mr. Darbal explained, during a public session chaired by Ayoub Hammad, Vice President of the Council, in the presence of the Minister of Relations with Parliament, Kawthar Kriko, and a number of government members, that in implementation of the directives of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the interior states located within a 150 km radius will benefit from power stations. Desalination of seawater from the drinking water it produces, which will significantly improve public drinking water service.

This measure, the minister adds, will provide significant quantities of dam water for the benefit of the agricultural sector, which will also benefit from used water, after undergoing triple treatment, “without restriction,” and this is “for watering fruit trees, legumes and even vegetables.”

On the other hand, several regions of the country will be supplied with drinking water through interconnection between dams, within the framework of water solidarity between the most and least water-abundant regions, as well as major water transfers south-south and south-north.

In his response to a question about supplying the municipalities of southern Setif with drinking water, the Minister confirmed that the irrigation sector had recorded several operations to complete and equip new mines while rehabilitating the currently exploited mines, which allowed the mobilization of an additional amount of water equivalent to 6,000 cubic meters/day.

He also reported that the project to connect and equip the Boutaleb 2 mine will allow the provision of an additional amount of water equivalent to 5,000 cubic meters per day, which will allow for improving water distribution times.

In the same context, the Minister revealed the preparation of a study related to taking care of sewage outfalls for the municipalities of Hamma and Boutaleb, in order to eliminate random disposal of used water in these two municipalities, noting that the project includes the completion of a station to filter used water through natural basins.

Regarding a question related to mobilizing surface water resources by building dams in the state of Batna, the minister confirmed that the irrigation sector, through the National Agency for Dams and Diversions, worked on preparing detailed studies for several dams, but these projects were affected by the freeze decision.

These facilities play an “important” role in providing the population with drinking water and providing irrigation water at the local level, according to Mr. Darbal, who stressed that the sector “will do everything in its power to register these dam projects.”

Regarding a question related to disinfection in the city of Timimoun, the Minister indicated that the sector’s interests have prepared a special guideline for the city of Timimoun, which will serve as a “real reference,” and on the basis of its outputs, all measures to be taken will be built and determined, which would contribute to the modernization and development of sanitation networks for the same purpose. The city, which will permanently eliminate all black spots.

The minister also said, with regard to the reuse of water from the Timimoun station, that quantities of water resulting from this station are currently being used to irrigate green spaces located near it, indicating that his ministerial department will work “to consider the possibility of using this water to irrigate palm oases.” .